Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently engaged in a 35-minute phone conversation with former US President Donald Trump, even as India intensified diplomatic ties with Croatia — a move seen as part of New Delhi’s strategy to broaden its global partnerships and signal foreign policy autonomy.
Sources familiar with the matter stated that the call between Modi and Trump was amicable, covering key areas such as trade, defense cooperation, and regional security matters. However, the context in which the call took place — amid India’s growing diplomatic engagements with Central and Eastern Europe — suggests a carefully balanced approach in India’s international relations.
India’s relations with Croatia have witnessed a notable upswing, with both countries working to strengthen cooperation in technology, higher education, defense, and pharmaceuticals. The timing of Modi’s outreach to Croatia, while choosing not to pursue a direct meeting with Trump in the US, is being viewed as a significant signal of India’s independent diplomatic direction.
Diplomatic observers believe that while India continues to value its strong ties with the United States, there is an evident effort to expand influence in emerging regions. By enhancing bilateral relations with nations like Croatia, India is not only diversifying its strategic interests but also reducing dependency on major powers.
A senior foreign policy expert commented that Modi’s simultaneous engagement with Trump and Croatian leadership reflects a strategic message. “India is demonstrating that its foreign policy is guided by national interest, not traditional alignments. The move toward strengthening relations with European nations is part of that broader recalibration,” he said.
Though no official readout of the Modi-Trump conversation has been released, analysts believe that New Delhi’s decision to prioritize European outreach, particularly with Croatia, could also be shaped by the changing political environment in the US ahead of the 2024 elections.
Despite this shift in emphasis, Indo-US ties remain steady, with both countries maintaining strong cooperation on defense technology, economic initiatives, and Indo-Pacific security. However, Modi’s move highlights India’s growing assertiveness on the world stage and its intent to remain non-aligned in a multipolar world.
Experts say the message is clear — India is engaging globally on its own terms, balancing power dynamics by deepening partnerships in less conventional but strategically significant regions.
